Chapter 95 Parading Through the Streets on Horseback, an Unparalleled Talented Woman
Outside the Hall of Preserving Harmony, the spring sun shone warmly, and beams of sunlight fell on people, making them feel comfortable. However, the scholars waiting for their results below the hall felt anxious and restless. At first, they could chat quietly for a while, but as time went by, the atmosphere became more and more tense.
Some people clenched their fists, their eyes fixed intently on the temple gate; some paced back and forth, beads of sweat dripping from their foreheads; some were tense all over, silently reciting the Diamond Sutra with their eyes closed…
The breathing around me grew heavier and heavier, and the heartbeat grew louder and louder.
Suddenly, from afar, everyone saw Lord Han of the Court of State Ceremonial emerge from one side of the main hall, holding four bright yellow imperial edicts in his hands, with several palace maids in official robes and hats trailing behind him.
Zhang Ting stared as Han Bingyue slowly approached, his throat bobbing, his hand involuntarily clenching into a fist in his sleeve, his heart clenching.
The time since Han Bingyue arrived was clearly only a quarter of an hour, but everyone felt as if a day had passed in an eternity.
She stood before the assembled scholars, her gaze kind and gentle. "My fellow colleagues, please receive the imperial decree." Recalling the same situation when she became the top scholar, she felt a surge of emotion mixed with fear of failing the palace examination. Ten years had passed in the blink of an eye.
The crowd knelt to receive the imperial decree, some even trembling with excitement.
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
On the 22nd day of the third month of the tenth year of the Chengtai reign, an examination was held for all candidates from across the land. The first-ranked candidate was awarded the title of Jinshi (进士), the second-ranked candidate was awarded the title of Jinshi Chushen (进士出身), and the third-ranked candidate was awarded the title of Tong Jinshi Chushen (同进士出身). This is the imperial decree!
"First place in the first class—" Everyone strained their ears, holding their breath, their hearts pounding. Who would claim the top scholar's title? Would it be He Ying, the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official in Zhangzhou Prefecture? Would it be the prodigy Luo Zijun? Or the renowned Yang Fuchen? Or…
"Zhang Ting, Lütian County, Tongzhou Prefecture!"
"First Place in First Class – Zhang Ting from Lvtian County, Tongzhou Prefecture!"
"First Place in First Class – Zhang Ting from Lvtian County, Tongzhou Prefecture!"
Three times, the name 'Zhang Ting' was called out loudly, and its name resounded throughout the sky.
All eyes were on Zhang Ting. At this moment of great attention, she remained calm and composed, facing the world with absolute ease. Her demeanor impressed the other scholars.
Everyone sighed inwardly: It really was her! It had to be her! It could only be her!
If she wasn't the top scholar, then no one present was qualified to be the top scholar.
Achieving the top honor in all three levels of the imperial examinations—no one in this dynasty has ever won such a distinction! It is truly beyond their reach, and they can only applaud in admiration!
Immediately afterwards, Han Bingyue continued to announce:
"Fang Ting, second place in the first division."
"Luo Zijun, third place in the first class."
"Yang Fuchen, first place in the second class."
...
After Han Bingyue finished his report, he solemnly admonished everyone: "Now that you have received the Emperor's grace, you should think of serving the Emperor and the country!"
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
A relieved smile appeared on her face. She then took another imperial edict, her expression instantly turning serious. She said in a deep voice, "Zhang Ting, the newly appointed top scholar, receive this edict!"
"Your humble servant receives the decree." Zhang Ting lifted his robes and knelt on the ground again, his expression calm and his back as straight as a pine tree.
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Zhang Ting, the newly appointed top scholar, possesses broad vision and outstanding learning. Therefore, he is hereby specially appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a sixth-rank official, granted the title of Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), and bestowed with one hundred taels of gold and five bolts of crimson silk gauze.
Han Bingyue's gentle gaze fell on her. Even though they were not master and disciple, it was still a wonderful thing to witness a morning star rising.
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" Zhang Ting pursed his lips as he accepted the bright yellow imperial edict.
The palace maid behind her handed her the official robes of the top scholar.
The remaining scholars were all astonished. They knew that although all the top scholars in the current dynasty had entered the Hanlin Academy as officials, they were all of the sixth rank. Zhang Ting was granted a sixth-rank official position right after leaving the academy, which was the first time. It was clear that His Majesty liked her very much and favored her extremely.
A scholar who achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations, a renowned scholar whose virtue was known throughout the court and the country, and a favorite of the emperor right after graduating—these three almost impossible conditions all converged on one person at the same time.
Now that she has such dazzling glory, wouldn't it be easy for her to rise to the top in the future?
Although they are vastly different from the people in front of them and can never reach their level in this lifetime, they are fortunate enough to witness the stars soaring high in the sky and shining brightly, and to live in the same era as them!
Han Bingyue then took out the last two imperial edicts and read them aloud: "...Fang Ting, the second-place scholar, possesses extraordinary insight and outstanding literary talent. He is hereby specially appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy of the seventh rank and granted the title of Jinshi..."
"...Luo Zijun, the third-ranked scholar, possesses foresight and extraordinary talent. He is hereby specially appointed as a seventh-rank compiler in the Hanlin Academy and granted the title of Jinshi..."
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
After reading all the imperial edicts, Han Bingyue solemnly surveyed the crowd, "The rest of the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) who wish to enter the Hanlin Academy must wait for the announcement of the recruitment examination for Shujishi (junior compilers), and those who wish to be transferred to other posts must wait for the announcement of the Ministry of Personnel to fill vacancies."
"Thank you for informing me, sir."
Everyone understood this principle, but recruiting and filling vacancies was no easy task. They could only cast envious glances at the top two candidates... If they had performed better in the palace examination and become the second or third-ranked candidate, they would have been able to be officially appointed to official positions.
You ask why I don't envy the top scholar's wife?
It's like Mount Tai pressing down on you, something ordinary people can hardly reach, how can it be compared?
...
Officials had already posted the results of the palace examination outside, and everyone in the capital, from high-ranking officials to ordinary people, was paying close attention. Some set up private rooms in teahouses, while others stood on both sides of the street, ready to catch a glimpse of the God of Literature.
The scene was incredibly lively, with the surrounding people discussing it animatedly.
"I heard that the top scholar's wife is still unmarried. I hope she takes a liking to me later."
"How could you possibly have a chance if you're not even married yet? You'd have been captured by some high-ranking official or prime minister long ago."
"It's true! According to my aunt's brother's sister's aunt, the top scholar's wife is still unmarried!"
"Then she must be extremely ugly, as plain as a duck's back."
The man instinctively wanted to retort, but the surrounding area suddenly erupted in commotion.
"Look, look! The top scholar's wife is here!"
It felt like boiling water was exploding in my ears, and everyone's eyes were fixed on what was in front of me.
The man at the head of the group was wearing a bright red brocade robe and a golden gauze hat, and was riding a snow-white horse slowly toward them.
From afar, the brocade robe shimmered in the sunlight, enveloping the scholar's wife in a dazzling golden glow. The radiant halo was so intense that it blinded everyone. She seemed like a celestial being descended from heaven, arriving from afar.
The man who had just been speculating that the top scholar's wife was ugly and plain was now gazing at her with his hands clasped to his heart.
Closer and closer, everyone's hearts pounded like drums, and their breaths almost stopped.
Her skin was as white as jade, her features were exquisite as if bestowed by the gods, her eyes were clear and bright, and she was a fairy with a beautiful appearance.
The streets were crowded, and the white horse moved forward with small steps.
As they passed a teahouse, a beautiful peony flower was suddenly tossed down, landing right in Zhang Ting's arms. Looking up, she saw Zong Suyi lifting her veil and smiling at her. Overjoyed, her eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at her intently.
Zhang Ting was slightly taken aback, as if a warm spring had flowed through her heart. Her eyebrows curved, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips as she tucked the peony into her hair.
The top scholar rode his horse in front of the imperial street, his hair adorned with flowers, looking like a fairy.
In an instant, all the beauty of the street paled in comparison.
The crowd on both sides of the street fell silent for a moment, and then an unprecedented roar erupted from the crowd. The previously normal order was completely disrupted. The crowd shouted "Scholar's Wife" and crowded around her, throwing flowers, sachets and handkerchiefs at her like raindrops.
Upon seeing this, the other two second and third place winners behind him were immediately filled with horror, their originally cheerful faces turning pale.
This is absolutely terrifying!
With no road ahead, the Imperial Guards had no choice but to clear a path with their spears, driving the overly enthusiastic crowd to the sides of the road.
The surrounding people had gone far away, but the number of sachets and handkerchiefs thrown at Zhang Ting was still considerable. The strong fragrance made her nose itch, so she immediately waved her sleeve to brush off the fallen flowers and rode past. But at the end of the road, she suddenly turned back and looked at where Zong Suyi was, signaling with her eyes that he should go home soon.
But this one glance has caused countless young men to toss and turn at night, their hearts filled with lovesickness.
In a private room at the teahouse, the young man leaned against the windowsill, watching Zhang Ting's departing figure with a heavy heart.
She had politely declined his marriage proposal last time, so he shouldn't have come today. However, the image of her kept flashing through his mind, making him absent-minded and distracted all day.
So he came today, and seeing her dazzling beauty again only deepened his love...
His grandmother wanted to find him another suitable partner, but he only had eyes for this person. He really didn't know what to do.
Thinking of Zhang Ting's gentle words of refusal that day, he felt heartbroken, and tears rolled down his cheeks.
Why can't you just turn around and look at him?
At this moment, it was the time for the officials to finish their shifts.
One official asked in surprise, "Why are you making such a fuss here?"
Her colleagues laughed at her: "Today the results of the palace examination were announced, and the top scholars paraded through the streets. You've completely forgotten?"
"I know about this, but... but this is far too grand. Back when you and I paraded through the streets, it was clear..." The crowd fell silent.
The overwhelming enthusiasm and excitement today is so enviable and so unfair!
Her colleague patted her on the shoulder and comforted her, saying, "The younger generation is now taking the lead."
On the other side of the street, Ning Yuanzhi lifted the sedan curtain to take a peek.
He muttered to himself, "Zhang Ting's official career and reputation have become so good? In all my years serving three emperors, I have only ever seen one person like her."
Originally, Zhang Ting's exam paper was moved to eleventh place just to try their luck. Getting a first-class title or a top-ranking title would already be a great favor. Unexpectedly, His Majesty loves her so much that he directly appointed her as the top scholar!
Ning Yuanzhi took a deep breath. The weight on Zhang Ting's shoulders had been increased again and again. She was so young yet had such good fortune. She was bound to be extraordinary in the future. He had to do his best to win her over. She would definitely become an aid in his downfall of the treacherous minister in the future!
"Let's go back to the manor." Ning Yuanzhi closed his eyes, pondering how to win over such a talented person.
Why not temporarily transfer Zhang Ting to the Ministry of Rites first, and then promote her?
The Hanlin Academy was only used for compiling and revising books; what was the point?
The six ministries have marked the imperial examination papers with triangles and crosses, so they certainly won't compete with her for the position.
She won over this exceptionally talented woman.
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